On Al Maire's Passing

Gregory's older brother (by 15 years so he was more like a father to Greg) died while Gregory was in the hospital and before he moved into the Lieberman Center.

I CHOSE NOT TO TELL Greg about his brother's death, since he is living so contently in the moment and never asks about the past. Why replant any of those memories if they will only cause grief?

However, I honor the death of someone who meant so much to Gregory, his older brother Alan. Al's first wife Dellaura continues to keep in touch and his current wife Iris, in short order worked her way deeply with love into both Gregory and my hearts!

In Al's obituary it mentioned Gregory and spouse. That was enough for me and I was honored to be included. Then I received this note from Iris:

There was an error made in the obit that Noblin Funeral Service put on their  web site. They omitted your name, but I called them and when I checked the correction had been made.

I love both you and Greg and feel so fortunate that I was able to be part of the Maire family for the past 30 years. If Greg is able to understand any of this, please give him my love and let him know that Al was very proud of his youngest brother.  We have both lost our lovers and best friends, though in different ways, and folks here remind me that our happy memories of all these years will bring us a measure of comfort and peace.

Let us please keep in touch. You both are in my prayers every day.

Iris

Life Legacy Alan Edward Maire, age 77, a resident of Tome, NM passed away on Thursday, the 9th of January, 2014. Al was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp, hurrah! For a number of years he was active with the Belen Model Railroad Club and also enjoyed working with his model train setup at home. In his earlier years he worked at Maireco, Robertshaw Controls, in advertising in Connecticut, and with Nobel/Sysco in New Mexico. Alan was a very accomplished artist in wood carving, specializing in native American and Western figurines, showing works in Santa Fe and Taos. His pieces are in homes around the United States and Switzerland. Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Benson Maire and Helen Godskenson Maire of Goshen, Indiana. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Iris Ann Jones Maire; three children, a son, Edward Maire and wife, Barbara of Claremore, OK, daughter, Michelle Brown and husband, Mark of Las Curses, NM, and daughter, Danielle Maire and friend Jolene of San Angelo, TX; also the childrens mother, Dellaura Riggles of Indiana. Al has four step-children who loved him very much. They are Terri Ackerman and husband, Dale of Loch Buie, CO, Kymberly Dunning and fiancé, Jeff of Annapolis, MD, Marcus Dunning and wife, Holly of Albuquerque, NM, and Michael Dunning of West Jordan, UT. Al is survived by his brothers, John Mark Maire and wife, Diane of Battle Creek, MI, and Gregory Maire and spouse Michael of Evanston, IL; two nieces, Elizabeth Karper and Renee Breitbach; and one nephew Mark Maire; Sixteen grandchildren, Ted Duke, Jake Maire, Jesse Maire, Sarah Brown Morris, Corrie Brown Wescott, Ambyr Carolus, Austin Carter, Tyler Carter, Chase Ryan, Samantha Ryan, Jessyka Dunning, Marcus Anthony Dunning, Tre Dunning, Cameron Dunning, Baylee Dunning, and Sidney Dunning; Eleven great grandchildren, Charlie and Lola Duke, Corbin Maire, Dylan, Devon, Wyatt, and Allie Morris, Shaylee Wescott, Amariana Carolus, Avery Carter, and Kaiden Dunning. Al was looking forward to another little one in March. A special thank you to the fine staff in the emergency room and the second floor of the Heart Hospital for the tender care that was given to Alan the short time he was there. A Memorial service will be held at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Wednesday, January 22 at 10:30 am. Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., (505) 864-4448.